Le Bal , chaired by Raymond Depardon and managed by Diane Dufour, is situated in a former 1920’s dancehall right in the centre of Paris. Le Bal, a project by Des Amis de Magnum Photos (friends of Magnum) is a venue for the documentary image (photography, video and film). Here, the many possible ways of addressing reality are presented, compared and examined. Le Bal does this by organising debates about how documentary images are produced, published and seen. It also explores new visual forms that can convey reality in all its complexity. A specialised bookshop, an educational program to encourage a better understanding of images and three to four exhibitions a year are also part of Le Bal’s activities. Their site offers a very useful links section with photographers, blogs, festivals etc.

Since 2009 Le Bal and SFR Jeune Talents (young talents) organise the School of Art Prize . This prize enables a French student in their last college year to pursue a documentary photography project.